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, I R.-.P. D-OLAN. FEED AND TRANSFER MECHANISM FOR ROLLING MILL PLANTS.

} 110,402,148. Patented Apr. 30, 18 89.

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R.P.-DO-LAN.- FEED AND TRANSFER MEQHANISMIEOR ROLLING MILL PLANTS.-

No. 402,148. PatentedApi 30,89

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Patented Apr. 30, 1889.

N. PETERS. PImlo-Ulhogmphnn Washington. D4 c.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC ROBERT P. DOLAN, or STEELTON, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR or ONE-HALF TO A. B. DUNKLn, or SAME PLACE.

. FEl ED AND TRANSFER MECHANISM FOR ROLLING-MILL PLANTS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 402,148, dated April 30, 1889. Application filed January 13, 1888. Serial No. 260,635. (No model.)

To all whom, it may concern.-

Beit known that I, ROBERT-P. DOLAN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Steelton, in the county of Dauphin and State of Pennsylvania, 7 have invented new and useful Improvements in Extension Feed-Tables for Rolling-Mills, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to an improvement in to extension feed-tables for rolling-mills, and it consists in the peculiar construction and combination of devices that will be more fully set forth hereinafter, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

' In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a top plan view of an extension feed-table embodying my improvements. Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal sectional view of the same, taken on the line as w of Fig.1. Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the same. Fig. 4 is an end elevation. Fig. 5 is a vertical transverse sectional view taken on the line y y of Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is a diagrammatic top plan view of my improved extension feed-tables, showing the same arranged in correct relative positions to the roughing and finishing roll of a rollingmill. Fig. '7 is a diagrammatic side elevation of the same. Figs. 8, 9, and 10 are detailed views. Fig. 11 is a side elevation of the roughmg and finishing rolls.

A represents a pair of vertical standards,

' which are provided with vertical slots B, and

have their upper ends connected by a crossbar, 0.

D represents a vertical "frame which is arranged between the standards A, has a pair of depending arms, E, which bear against the inner sides of the said standards, and the lower ends of the said arms are upturned to l y 40 form brackets F.

G represents guide-bolts which work in the slots B and are secured to the arms E. On the upper side of the crossbar Ois supported a hydraulic cylinder, H, the piston-rod I of which is connected to the central portion of the frame I), by which means the said frame may be raised or lowered between the vertical standards for the purpose to be hereinafter described.

At a suitable distance back from the standards, and in a line midway between the same, is a vertical hydraulic cylinder, K, the pistonrod L of which projects through the upper end ,of the cylinder. To the said piston-rod is attached a cross-head, M, and to the ends of the said cross-head are pivotally secured a pair of track-bars, N. The other ends of the said track-bars are pivotally connected to the inner sides of the brackets F by'means of bolts, which work in longitudinal slots in the trackbars and engage the said brackets. The said track-bars and cross-head constitute a supporting-frame, which, by reason of the hydraulic cylinders hereinbefore described, may be raised and lowered at either end, so as to arrange the frame at any desired inclination.

0 represents a table, which comprises a rectangular open frame, P, having longitudinal slotsR in its sides, and divided centrally by a longitudinal bar, S. In the said bar. S and in the sides of the table are made openings, in which are journaled the projecting trunnions of a series of rollers, T. The table is provided at its corners with depending standards U, in which are journaled anti-friction wheels V, that engage the upper and lower edges of the track-bars N. The length of the table is considerably less than the length of the track-bars, and consequently the former is adapted to move back and forth on the lat- '80 ter. From the outer end of the bar S depends a vertical rod, W, to the lower end of which is attached a brace-strap, X, the rear end of which strap is secured to the inner end of the table, as shown.

Y represents the horizontal hydraulic cylinder, which is arranged midway between the standards A, and is provided with a pistonrod, Z, which is loosely attached to the vertical rod TV, so that the latter may movefreely in a vertical direction through. the piston=rod 1 when the table is raised or lowered with the vertically-movable frame.

A represents an extension of the table, which comprises a rectangular frame, B, hav- 5 ing its inner end open and its outer end formed by a cross-bar, O. The sides of the extension bear against the outer sides of the table, and

are provided for a suitable distance from their outer ends with longitudinal slots D, which are engaged by lugs or flanges E, that project from the outer sides of the table at the outer end thereof. On the inner sides of the extension, at the inner ends thereof, are flanges or lugs F, which engage the slots R in the sides of the table.

G represents a pair of cross-bars, which connect the sides of the extension and extend under the table, the said cross-bars being con- 11 ected together by inwardly-con vergin g bracestraps H. From the front cross-bar, G, de-

pends a vertical rod, 1, which is similar to the rod \V, and is likewise braced and strengthened in position by a strap, K.

L represents a hydraulic cylinder, which is arranged on one side of the cylinder Y, and is provided with a piston-rod, M, which is attached loosely to the rod 1.

In the sides of the extension, in the front portions of the same, near their upper edges, are made openings or recesses, in which the proj ecting trunnions of a series of rollers, N, are journaled. The said rollers are adapted to be removed from their bearings when the extension is moved inward on the table, and are only journaled in the extension when the latter is drawn outward from the table. At the outer end of the extension, on the upper side thereof, is a guard-plate, O.

P represents a transverse plate, which is arranged on the upper side of the extension, near the outer end thereof, and is connected to the guard-plate by a series of coiled extensile springs, R. The function of these plates and springs will be pointed out hereinafter.

S represents a guide, which comprises a pair of inclined longitudinal plates having their lower edges connected to a series of transverse bars, T. The said bars are adapt-ed to fit between the rollers T and the sides and central bar of the table, so as to secure the guide thereon over the rollers T. There will be as many of these guides on the table as there are passes in the rolls of the mill. As herein shown, the table is provided with two sets of rollers T, and with one of the guides S.

It will be understood that one of the guides will be used with each set of rollers, and the number of guides and sets of rollers may be varied to suit the requirements of the case. On the inner side of one side plate of each guide are journaled a number of anti-friction rollers, U.

V represents a pair of vertical standards of suitable height, which are arranged on one side of an extension-table and in proximity thereto, one of the said standards being arranged at a suitable distance beyond the inner end of the table.

XV represents a shield, which has its upper inner corner secured to one of the standards V and its lower outer corner secured to the base, platform, or floor on which the plant is arranged. This shield has a horizontal arm,

X, the outer end of which is curved at Y, and under the said curved outer end of the arm is a recess, Z. d

A? represents a longitudinal shaft, which is journaled in the upper ends of the standards V and is arranged parallel with the table. The upper ends of the said standards V have on their inner sides vertical extensions 13.

C represents two pairs of inclined guide arms or ways, which have openings in their upper ends, in which the shaft A is journaled, and have their lower ends secured firmly to the base, platform, or floor. To those portions of the shaft A which are between the upper ends of the pairs of inclined guide arms or ways are rigidly secured sprocketwheels D E represents a drum, which is rigidly secured to the shaft A and to the said drum is attached one end of a chain or cord, F To the free end of the said chain or cord is secured a weight, G

H represents a shaft, which is journaled in the guideways C near their lower ends, and 4 is provided with rigid sprocket wheels I which are connected to the sprocket-wheels D by means of endless sprocket-chains K T0 the center of the shaft A is secured a ball, L and to the shaft H near the inner end thereof, is secured a similar ball, M

N represents an arm or frame, which is inclined, and is also arranged in a diagonal direction, as shown, and has its upper end journaled on the shaft A, on opposite sides of the a ball L and its lower end journaled on the shaft H on opposite sides of the ball M the function of said balls being to maintain the said arm or frame at the required diagonal position, and said balls being adjustable longitudinally on the shafts and provided with set-screws or clamping-bolts, by means of which they are rigidly secured to the shafts when arranged in the correct relative positions. On the inner side of this arm are secured plates 0 which form a cam-slot, P

R represents a guide, which is a trough open at both ends, and is provided with bottom blocks, S that are hinged or pivoted to the chains K Between the sides of this guide are journaled anti-friction rollers T of suitable shape.

U represents a pair of arms, which are arranged on the lower or outer side of the guide and project upward from the bottom blocks, S

V represents an extension of the guide, which is of the shape shown, is secured on the outer end of the guide, and is adapted to move thereon in a longitudinal direction. The inner end of the said extension has on its lower side a projecting bearing, on which is journaled an anti-friction roller, V that works in the cam-slot P X represents a coiled extensile spring, which is arranged in the outer end of the extension V To the shaft A is rigidly secured a pair of rectangular plates, Y which are provided each at one upper corner with 'an extending arm, Z2. (See Fig. 8.) e

The operation of my invention is as follows: Four extension feed-tables, 1 2 3 4, will be arranged end to end and side by side on opposite sides of the roughing-rolls a and finishing- .rolls' b. The table ,2 has the guide R and its operating devices gbnt the remaining tables are not provided with such guides. The tables 13 haveeach two pairs of the cam-arms c, the table 2 has twoguides, S, and the table 51 has one such guide. The roughing-rolls, as shown in Fig. 2, have their last upper pass, a arranged, opposite the end of the guide R when the latter is at the upper ends of the ways and the finishing-rolls b are arranged in such a position that their first lower pass, o is arranged opposite the end of the said guide R when the latter is at the lower ends of the guideways C The bloom is placed first on the extension-table 1, and the latter is elevated and inclined by means of the hydraulic apparatus, with its outer end higher than its inner end, so as to direct the bloom'to the first upper pass, a, of the roughing-rolls, from which it is delivered, after being partly formed into a rail, on the opposing end of the opposite table, 2. The rail as it emerges from between the rolls is run onto the rollers U of one of the guides 8 one side only of the rail being in contact with the said rollers, and the other side thereof projecting beyond the rollers, as shown, in solid lines in Fig. 9.

When therail has entirely left the roughingrolls, it drops by its own gravity from the rolls U, and turns half-way over while doing so, and falls upon the rollers T, under the bot-tomof the guide, as shown in dotted lines in Fig. 9.. The table on which the partly-finrail to slide by its own gravity to the firstv is then elevated to feed therail to the second ished rail rests then has its outer end elevated by means of the hydraulic apparatus, hereinbefore described, soas to cause the lower pass, a, of the roughing-rolls, from which it is delivered ontothe first table, 1, as. before. The cam-arms c of the latter, which project upward and inward over the same, serve as the tableis raised to the level of the second upper pass, a of the roughingrolls to slide the partly-finished rail laterally over the table into alignment with the said second upper pass. Therear end of table 1 upper passe, and as the rail emerges from said pass it is delivered onto the rollers U. of thesecond guide S of the table 2, andcaused to drop from said rollers, in the manner before described, turn half-wayover, and

land upon the rollers T of the second section of the table. 2. The latter is then tilted and caused to feed the-rail to the second lower pass, 61, of the roughing-rolls, and from the same the rail is delivered onto the table 1, which is again elevated and one pair of its cam-arms caused to move the rail into alignment with the third upper pass, a of the roughing-rolls.

stood that the said cam-arms are not to be employed on the same table with the guide.

. NVhen the rail leaves the last pass, a of the roughing-rolls, it enters the guide R and bears upon the rollers T of said guide. When the said rail isentirely supported by the said guide, its weightmore than counterbalances the weight G, and as a consequence the gravity-of the guide causes the same to move downward on the ways 0 and by reason of the sprocket wheels and chain, which connect the shafts H and A causes the latter to'rotate in the direction indicated by thecurved arrow in Fig. 5, and consequently winds up the chain on the drum and elevates the weight G. As the guide moves downward, the roller WW, which is in engagement with the inclined oblique cam-slot P causes the extension of the guide to be moved inward, and the spring at the outer end thereof is compressed against the outer end of the partly-finished rail, its tension being gradually increased as the guide is lowered, and the inner end of the rail is forced thereby against the side of the guide-arm W. The said guide-arm W yields slightly under the pressure of the rail, and thus facilitates the movement of the end of the lat-. ter across the guide-arm. When the guide Rreaches the lower endsof the ways C the end of the railcomes opposite the recess .01 cut-away portion Z of the guide-arm, and also comes opposite the first pass, I), in the, finishing-rolls, and the extensible spring in the outer end of the extension of the guide forces the saidrail into the said first pass of the finishing-rolls, when it is operated upon as before and caused to move backward and forward between tables 3 4 and the passes b, 6 19 If, and 19 of the finishing-rolls until completely finished. At the instant that the rail leaves the guide R? the latter is caused to move upward to its initial position by the weight and chain G, as will be readily understood. The plates .Y having the arms Z are so timed'thatwhen the guide reaches the upper ends of the ways 0 the said arms and plates rest against the bottom of said guide. and maintain the same in position against. the inner sides of the extensions V of the standards V, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5.

.The tables are provided with the extensions in order to accommodate them to rails of un: usual lengths, and the said tables are adapted to be raised and lowered at both their inner and outer ends, in order, not only to directv the rail into the upper and lower passes of the rolls, but also to compensate for the ends of the rails being curved upward or downward as they pass through the rolls in curved or other, shapes. The spring-pressed plates jP serve to receive the impactof the rails as the latter leave' the rollers, and hence act as buffers.

By means of extension feed-tables, such as hereinbefore described, a rail may be fed to the rollers without the necessity of handling the same at all and without the employment of skilled operators. One man on each side of the rolls is all that is necessary for the manipulation of a rail.

Having thus described my invention, I claim- 1. The combination of the supporting-frame and the table arranged 011 the said frame and means for raising and lowering the opposite ends of the frame independently, whereby the frame may be tilted or inclined longitudinally, substantially as described.

2. The combination of the frame, means for raising and lowering the opposite ends of the same independently, whereby the frame may be tilted or inclined longitudinally, and the table supported on the frame and adapted to move back and forth thereon, substantially as described.

3. The combination of the supporting-fram e having its opposite ends independently movable in a vertical direction, the table movable longitudinally on the said frame, and means, substantially as set forth, for operating the said table, substantially as described.

4. The vertically-movable table having the rollers T, and the guide S, having the rollers U on one side supported at an elevation above the rollers T, substantially as described.

5. The combination of the vertical standards A, the frame D, vertically movable on the said standards, the vertically-movable cross-head M, at a distance from the standards, the track-bars pivotally connected at opposite ends to the said cross-heads and to the frame D, and the table movable longitudinally 011 the said track-bars, substantially as described.

6. The table having the extension provided with the springs at its outer end, substantially as described.

7. The table having the rollers T, j ournaled permanently therein, and provided with the longitudinally-adjustable extension having the removable rollers N, substantially as described.

8. The combination of the supportingframe, the hydraulic engines to raise and lower the opposite ends thereof independently, the table arranged on the frame, the hydraulic engine to move the said table in a longitudinal direction, the extension, and the hydraulic engine to operate the said extension, substantially as described.

9. The combination of the guide-arm W, the inclined guideways C the endless carriers, the guide R arranged on the said guideways and secured to the said carrier, means to normally elevate the guide, the inclined cam P and the extension movable longitudinally on the the outer end of the guide and having the spring, said extension being further provided. with. the roller engaging the cam P substantially as described.

10. The combination of the standards Y, the shaft A 3' ourn aled therein, the guide-ways C the shaft 11 journaled in the lower ends of the said guideways, the sprocket-Wheels on said shafts, the endless sprocket-chains connecting said sprocket-wheels, the drum secured to shaft A and having the chain and counter-weight G, and the guide secured to the endless chain and movable laterally on the guideways, substantially as (lescribed.

11. The table, in combination with thelongitudinally-adjustable extension having the rollers N, as set forth.

12. The combination, with the guide R means to elevate the same, and the extension V of the guide having the roller V and the inclined cam P to be engaged by the roller when the guide is elevated and lowered, as set forth.

13. The guide R, having the longitudinallymovable extension V in combination with the inclined arms supporting the guides, the carriers to move the same thereon, and the cam engaging the extension, whereby the latter is moved longitudinally by the ascent and descent of the guide, substantially as described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my own I have hereto affixed my signature in presence of two witnesses.

ROBERT P. DOLAN.

Vitnesses:

CHARLES H. BABB, H. J. BABB. 

